Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
